How to Make an Instagram TV Video

Creating an engaging, long-form Instagram video feels like a big step, but a surprisingly simple process is behind it. Once known as IGTV, this format is now part of the main Instagram Video tab, giving you a powerful way to connect with your audience beyond quick Reels and disappearing Stories. This guide will walk you through every step, from brainstorming your first idea to editing, uploading, and promoting your finished video for maximum reach.

First Things First: What Happened to IGTV?

If you've been around Instagram for a while, you probably remember the separate orange IGTV app and icon. In 2021, Instagram streamlined everything by merging IGTV and its feed videos into a single format simply called Instagram Video. All of your videos now live together in one tab on your profile.

Nothing has really been lost - in fact, it's gotten better. This change makes creating and discovering long-form content much easier for your followers. The core principles of an "IGTV video" remain the same: they are longer videos (over 90 seconds) that give you the space to tell richer stories, share detailed tutorials, or host in-depth interviews. Don't let the name change trip you up, the strategy is as powerful as ever.

Step 1: Planning Your Instagram Video Content

Jumping straight to filming without a plan is a recipe for a video that goes nowhere. A great video starts with a clear idea. Take a few minutes to think through these areas before pressing record.

Define Your Goal and Audience

What do you want this video to accomplish? Do you want to:

• Educate: Teach your audience something new, like a step-by-step tutorial, how-to guide, or a detailed product demonstration.
• Entertain: Make them laugh, show them something beautiful, or tell a compelling story. This could be a behind-the-scenes look, a fun team challenge, or a vlog-style update.
• Inspire: Share a success story, your brand's mission, or a motivational message that resonates with your community.

Once you know your goal, think about your audience. What do they care about? What problems are they trying to solve? Your best video ideas will sit at the intersection of what you want to say and what they are interested in hearing.

Brainstorm and Script Your Idea

You don't need a Hollywood-level script, but an outline is essential. A simple structure keeps you on-topic and prevents your video from fizzling out. Consider creating a recurring series to give your audience a reason to come back. Here are a few format ideas:

• Tutorial or "How-To" Series: Show viewers exactly how to use your product or accomplish a task related to your niche.
• Q&A Session: Gather questions from your community via a Story sticker and answer them in a detailed video.
• Behind-the-Scenes: Give your audience a peek into your process, your workspace, or what a typical day looks like for your team.
• Interview or Conversation: Sit down with an expert, a client, or a team member to discuss a relevant topic.

Your outline can include bullet points of key talking points, notes on visuals you want to add, and an introduction/conclusion. This preparation will make the next stages much smoother.

Step 2: Filming Your Video - Key Practices

You don't need a professional camera crew to create a polished video. Your smartphone is more than capable, especially if you focus on these fundamental elements.

Get the Orientation Right: Vertical is King

While Instagram supports horizontal (16:9) videos, always prioritize filming vertically (9:16). The vast majority of users watch videos on their phones and won't bother turning their device sideways. A vertical video fills the entire screen, creating a more immersive and professional viewing experience.

Let There Be Light

Good lighting is non-negotiable. Poor lighting instantly makes a video look amateurish. The best source is often free: natural light. Try filming facing a window so the light illuminates your face evenly. If natural light isn't enough, invest in an inexpensive ring light - it can make a massive difference in quality.

Clear Audio is Critical

Viewers will forgive a slightly shaky camera, but they will not tolerate bad audio. Your phone's built-in microphone can work in a quiet, non-echoey room, but an external microphone is one of the best cheap investments you can make. Even a simple lavalier (lapel) mic that plugs into your phone will dramatically improve your sound quality by cutting down on background noise.

Step 3: Editing Your Video for Impact

Editing is where you shape your raw footage into a compelling story. It's about cutting the fluff, adding helpful context, and making the video flow smoothly.

Choose Your Editing Software

You can edit directly on your phone with a handful of powerful, user-friendly apps. No need for complex desktop software unless you prefer it. Popular editing apps include:

• CapCut: Free and packed with features, including auto-captions, effects, and music.
• InShot: Another fantastic all-in-one editor for trimming, adding text, music, and basic color correction.
• Adobe Premiere Rush: A great mobile-first option from Adobe that syncs with its desktop apps if you need more features down the line.

Key Editing Tasks

Regardless of your software, your focus should be on these key tasks:

• Trim the Fat: Be relentless. Cut long pauses, filler words ("um," "uh"), and anything that is slow or repetitive. A faster pace keeps viewers engaged.
• Add On-Screen Text and Callouts: Use text overlays to highlight key points or add context. This helps viewers follow along, especially if they are watching with sound off.
• Include Captions: This is important for accessibility and for the huge number of people who scroll social media with their sound off. Most modern apps can auto-generate captions for you, requiring just a quick review and a few fixes.
• Add Music: Background music can set the tone, but ensure it doesn't overpower your voice. Look for royalty-free music libraries - many editing apps have them built-in, or you can use your own that is properly licensed.

Step 4: Crafting the Perfect Promotion Strategy

You've shot and edited your masterpiece. Now, you need to "package" it in a way that convinces people to stop and watch.

Design a Compelling Cover Photo (Thumbnail)

Once you've uploaded your video, you'll be able to choose a frame from it as a thumbnail or upload a custom image. Always upload a custom image. Your thumbnail is your billboard. It needs to stop people from scrolling. A great cover photo often contains:

• A high-quality image: A screen grab from your video of you looking engaging or a photo that accurately reflects your video's topic.
• Text Overlay: The title of your video in a clear, bold font. This tells viewers what your video is about at a glance.
• Your Branding: Use your logo or colors for consistency. You want your videos to be recognizable on your feed. The dimensions should be 1080px by 1920px (a 9:16 ratio).

Craft a Catchy Title and Description

The title appears above your video on your Profile Grid and in the feed, so it should answer "What will I get from this video?" A title like "How To Edit Videos on Your Phone" is more effective than vague titles like "Video Tips." Be strategic. Use keywords your audience is likely to search for in your title and description.

Share a Preview to Your Story

This is perhaps the single most important step for getting views. When you upload your video, you'll see an option to share a preview to your Story. Always enable this option. It pushes a 15- to 90-second teaser of your video to your followers' Stories, which is still one of the most engaging parts of the platform. Followers who haven't seen your video will be more likely to check it out from the teaser.

Step 5: How to Upload Your Video

1. On your Instagram feed, click the "+" icon at the bottom of the screen to create a new post.
2. Select "Post" from the options, then choose your video from your camera roll. (Note: other options like Reels also handle video of varying lengths).
3. After selecting your video, you'll have the opportunity to add a filter, trim the video, and choose a cover photo by sliding through the timeline or uploading a custom one.
4. On the final screen, write a compelling caption and add relevant hashtags. This is also where you can tag people and add a location.
5. Click "Share" to post your video to your feed.

Once your video is live, your job isn't over. Share it on other platforms, like your email newsletter or other social profiles, to reach a wider audience. Encourage your friends and followers to view and share it. The more engagement your video receives in the early hours, the more likely it is to be prioritized by Instagram's algorithm.

Conclusion

Creating a long-form Instagram video is not just about the content you produce, it's about how you package and promote it. With a clear plan and strategy, you can create videos that engage your audience and expand your reach. Remember, consistency is key. Keep experimenting with different formats and ideas to see what resonates best with your audience.